Condensed Financial Information of Ameris Bancorp (Parent Company Only) - Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss)	$ 14,435	$ 21,093	$ (3,989)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Stock-based compensation expense	1,044	785	724
Increase in interest payable	(1,708)	(1,608)	1,534
Increase (decrease) in tax receivable	(5,941)	11,077	(45)
Provision for deferred taxes	2,525	8,050	(1,788)
Total adjustments	17,804	25,073	48,999
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	32,239	46,166	45,010
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Net cash provided by investing activities	414,549	278,505	120,470
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Repurchase of warrant	(2,670)
Purchase of treasury shares	(235)		(19)
Dividends paid preferred stock	(2,642)	(2,635)	(2,636)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock			85,270
Cash dividends paid common stock			(22)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	3	28	150
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(432,060)	(333,469)	(172,214)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and due from banks	14,728	(8,798)	(6,734)
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period	65,528	74,326	81,060
Cash and due from banks at end of period	80,256	65,528	74,326
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid during the year for interest	16,782	29,155	28,260
Cash paid during the year for income taxes	2,563	(1,109)	(1,171)
Parent Company [Member]
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss)	14,435	21,093	(3,989)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Stock-based compensation expense	1,044	785	724
Dividends received in excess of earnings of subsidiaries	12,772
Undistributed (earnings) losses of subsidiaries		(22,721)	2,504
Increase in interest payable	(108)	54	145
Increase (decrease) in tax receivable	(786)	(247)	184
Provision for deferred taxes	14	(390)	447
Other operating activities	(389)	(530)	(229)
Total adjustments	12,547	(23,049)	3,775
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	26,982	(1,956)	(214)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Contribution of capital to subsidiary bank			(80,000)
Net cash provided by investing activities			(80,000)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Repurchase of warrant	(2,670)
Purchase of treasury shares	(235)		(19)
Dividends paid preferred stock	(2,641)	(2,635)	(2,636)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock			85,270
Cash dividends paid common stock			(21)
Repurchase of preferred stock	(24,000)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	3	28	150
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(29,543)	(2,607)	82,744
Net increase (decrease) in cash and due from banks	(2,561)	(4,563)	2,530
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period	4,200	8,763	6,233
Cash and due from banks at end of period	1,639	4,200	8,763
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid during the year for interest	1,597	1,363	742
Cash paid during the year for income taxes